Thread-waxing device



May 3, 1932- E. R. swANsoN 1,856,198

THREAD WAXING DEVICE Filed March 24, 1930 2 SheetS-Sheet l May 3, 1932- E. R. sWANsoN 1,856,198

THREAD WAXING DEVICE Filed March 24, 1950 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6'/ 7% 7 W ,/f Q9 #45' 7 f Patented May 3, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ERNEST R. SWANSON, 0F CRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 UNIVERSAL WIND- ING COMPANY, F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION 0F MASSACHUSETTS THBEAD-WAXING DEVICE Application filed March 24, 1930. Serial No. 438,573.

This invention relates to an improved device for waxing or similarly treating thread, yarn and other strand material as it is wound into cops, spools or supply packages. 0

One object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified which will distribute the wax evenly and uniformly over the thread to permeate all portions thereof.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a device of the type specified wherein the wax-cake is constantly rotated or other-V wise shifted to present new surface to the thread to prevent the latter from wearing a groove therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of t-he type specified in which the thread is constantly moved laterally on the surface of the wax-cake as the latter is rotated so as to wear the wax away evenly without leaving any waste portions thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified having self-threading means whereof the thread is automatically drawn into place against the wax-cake without attention on thepart of the operator or attendant of the machine with which the device is used.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred form of construction of the invention7 by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view illustrating a portion of a. conventional form of winding machine and showing the present improved waxing device as applied to use therewith;

Fig. 2 is a general plan view of the wind ing mechanism and waxing device shown in connection with the self-threading tensiondevice of the machine; y

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the waxing device shown with certain of its ,A parts in section;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective View of` the holder or mounting for the wax-cake showing the self-threading arrangement thereof.

It is to be understood that the term wax as used in the following specification and claims applies broadly to paraiiin or any other suitable material or compound for treating the thread, and that the term thread is employed in a generic sense to indicate all types of strand material.

The present improved waxing device is adapted for use with different kinds of textile apparatus and particularly on winding machines in which the thread is wound into various forms of supply packages such as spools, cops, bobbins, or the like. In the present drawings the waxing device is illustrated as applied to a winding machine of the socalled surfaceor drum-driven type wherein the cop or package is rotated by peripheral contact with a drive-roll or drunr and the thread traversed thereon by means of a re* ciprocating thread-guide- It is to be understood, however, that th-e present invention is not restricted to use on any particular type of winding machine. i

In Fig. 1 of the drawings, 2 designates a rotating drum or drive-roll driven from a horizontal shaft 3 and arranged to rotate a cop-holder or yarn-receiverl, herein illustrated in the form of a. cone, which maintains the cop in driving contact with the roll. For this purpose the cop-holder 4 may be rotatably mounted at the end of a swinging arm 5, only a. portion of which is shown in Fig. 1 of the present drawings.

The thread-guide 6 is mounted to slide on horizontal tracks or ways 7 and 8 and is provided with a head 10 having a slot or groove 11 through which the thread t feeds to the package being wound. A guardinger 9 eX- tends across the back of the head 10 of the guide 6 to retain the thread in the slot 11, the thread-guide being self-threading in accordance with the arrangement shown and described in U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,648,439, dated November 8, 1927. The thread-guide 6 may be reciprocated longitudinally `of the cop or package by any suitable instrumentalities and, as herein shown, a roller or bowl 12 is carried on a stud 13 held in a lug 14 on up the tension-device.

the guide to adapt it to engage with a helical groove 15 in a rotating cam 16 of cylindrical form. The cam 16 is driven from a horizontal shaft 17 which is journaled in suitable bearings in the machine frame 18. These elements of the winding mechanism are well known to those versed in the art and are therefore not herein shown and described in detail.

It is usual in windingmachines of the present type to employ a tension-device to apply resistance to the draft of the yarn as it feeds to the package in order that the turns of winding may be laid firmly in place to build up a mass of the required density. In the winding machine rherein shown a self-threading tension-device, illustrated generally at 19, is employed for this purpose. AThe tensiondevice 19 is carried on a` bracket 2O bolted to the front of the frame 18at 22 and extend.- ing outwardly therefrom with a horizontal shaft or rest 21 at its end. Projecting upwardly from the rest 21 is a pin or spindle 23,'

on which are rotatably mounted a pair of tension-disks '24 and 25. `The tension-disks 24V and 25 have convex faces between which the thread '25 draws, and arranged thereabove is a weight-holder 27 carrying weights 28 which supply pressure to force the disks toward each other to maintain them bearing against the thread. As shown lin Fig. 1 of the drawings, the weight-holder 27 consists of a shouldered sleeve slidable on the pin 23 and adapted to support any suitable number of the weights 28.V ntervening between the bottom of the weight-holder 27 and the upper tension-disk 24 is a helical spring 30 which acts as a shock-absorber to permit the tension-disks to separate when knots or enlargements on the thread pass therebetween without overcoming the inertia of the weightholder and its associated tension-weights.

The shelf 21 of the tension bracket 20 is formed with an outwardly and upwardly projecting arm 31 which cooperates with another curved'arm or horn 33 crossing it thereabove to provide a crotch in' which the thread is placed to direct it into place between the tension-disks 24 and 25, see'Fig. 2, in threading The arm 31 has an inclined' portion' leading toward a notch 32 yin the side'of the shelf 21 into which the thread t is directed to retain it in position drawing across the opposed faces of the tension-disks 24 and 25.0 The guide-arm or horn 33 is-constructed as a separate member having a circular rim 34 encompassing 'the periphery of the tension-disks and disposed slightly above the top of the shelf 21. The rim 34 is formed with a' foot-portion 35 fastened to the top of arranged between the tension-device 19 and the thread-traversing means. As herein illustrated, the wax-cake holder 1s constructed 'from sheet-metal and provided with an arm 41' for supporting it from the frame of the machine. Convenient-ly, the arm 41 may be attached to the base of the tension bracket 2O by means of the screws 22 which fasten the latter to theV frame 18. The arm 41 is inclined upwardly and extends across the vspace between the tension-device and the'winding mechanism to support the wax-cake, indicated at 44, in line with the path ofthe thread as it leads from the slug-catcher '38' to the thread-guide 6. The'sheet-metal arm 4l is formed with an extension twisted'at 45 to incline it at an angle tothe horizontal and this part of the holder is constructed with a substantially circular rim 46 having its outer portion 47 offset or depressed below the plane of its main portion to form two shoulders or abutments 48 and 49 which serve as means for holding the thread to a course across the underside of the wax-cake 44 in the manner as later e:\;plained.v Curled upwardly from the' portion'47 of the rim 46 isan arcuate strip or'tang 50 which acts as a threading guide, under which the thread is placed to direct it across the bottom ofthe 'rim 46. An arm 52 is offset downwardly from the main plane of the rim 46'and extends radially towardthe axial center thereof. 4

Secured in a hole 53 at the end of the arm 52 is a pin or spindle 54 which serves as a pivot mounting for4 the wax-cake 44. As shown most clearly in Fig. 3 the spindle 54 has a flange or collar 55 seated. against the top of the arm 52 and its lower end projects through the hole l53 'in the arm and 'is headed over to. rivet it to the arm. A thimble 56 has an axial bore 58 adapted to receive the spindle 54, the upper end of which is formed with a tapered point 57 against which the tapered endof the bore 58 in the thimble 56 bears. The bottom of the thimble 56 is counterbored at 59 to adapt it to receive the iiange or collar 55 with a clearance therebetween so that the thimble is held solely bythe spindle to rotate freely thereon with its weight borne by the tapered'bearing 57. The thimble 56 is shoulderedat 60 with its smaller portion adapted to be inserted through a central hole 6l in the wax-cake 44 with a free lit therein. Through this arrangement the wax-cake is free t0 slide on the thimble so that it will be maintained constantly bearing against the thread drawing across its underside as the wax is used up or worn away. It is to be particularly noted that the thread t of itself provides the sole support for the wax-cake 4d, there being no fixed rest or base beneath the cake.

It is the usual practice in winding machines ot the present type to employ stopping-nicchanism tor arresting the winding operation when the thread breaks or its supply is exhausted. The stopping-mechanism may be automatically operated through the means ot a breakage-lever or drop-wire normally suspended on the thread and caused to drop when the thread breaks or its supply runs out. The breakage-lever is preferably arranged to engage the thread as it draws from the tension-device to the thread-guise and, as herein shown, it is located between the slug-catcher 38 and the waxing device. In Figs. l and 2 of the present drawings the breakage-lever is illustrated in the forni of a wire arm pivoted on a horizontal rod 66 supported from the traine of the machine. The rod 66' is held in lugs 6'? and 68 on the underside of an inclined plate 70, called a thread-lifter, which is pivoted on trunnions 7l. and entends upwardly toward the threadguidc 6 with the thread normally riding on its upper edge. The thread-litter 70 is rocked on its trunnions 7l under the action of the stopping-mechanism ot the machine to raise the thread out ot the slot 11 in the thread-guide as the rotation of the package is arrested. The stopping-mechanism may be of the construction shown and described in ll. S. Letters Patent No. 1,656,088 and since it has no direct relation to the present invention it is not herein illustrated or exiilained in detail. Suffice it to state that when the breakage-lever 65 is released it 4energizes suitable instrumentalities which act to raise the package oit trom the drive-roll 2 to arrest its rotation and which also operate the thread-litter 7() to remove the thread from Jche thread-guide.

The breakage-lever 65 extends forwardly from its pivot 66 and is formed with a lateral extension 73 bent upwardly in an upright arm 74 and then across to provide a crossbar T5 under which the thread t draws to hold the lever in suspension. An arm 7 6 projecting from the side of the slug-catcher 38 reaches out across the top of the lateral e):- tension 'T3 of the breakage-lever 65 to limit the upward movement of the latter; the breakage lever thus serving as a relatively fixed guide for determining the line of travel the the thread beneath the wax-cake del.

The arrangement of the breakage-lever 65 has been described somewhat in detail to peint out one of the important features ot improvement of the present invention. It has been previously noted that the wax-cake 44 rests on the free length of thread drawing across its underside without other support beneath it or under the thread. This iinproved arrangement provides that when the thread breaks at a point between the slugca'tcher andthe thread-guide the end will not be held under the wax-cake, but will be tree to instantly release the breakage-lever 65. This improvement overcomes the difficulties of previously used devices wherein the thread draws across a plate or rest arranged below the wax-cake, in which case the broken end will be gripped and held thereagainst or carried around the pivot to be wound or tangled thereon so that the breakage lever is maintained in supension andA prevented trein operating the stopping-mechanism of the machine. The method of operation ot the device is as next explained.

'llo prepare the machine for winding a suitable threador yarn-receiver is provided; for example, a paper tube is placed on the cop-holder Il or in other instances a wooden cone is rotatably mounted on the `winding spindle.

The thread t is drawn oil:1 from the supply cop or package, usually arranged below the winding machine, and the strand laid in the notch between the` arm 31 and horn 33 branching from the tension-device 19. The end of the strand is then drawn through the slug-catcher 38, under the crossbar 7 5 of the breakage-lever 65and thence carried down around the curved guide-finger or tang 50 on the rim of the wax holder and led to the copholder or yarn-receiver l to which it is suitably attached, iior example, by winding it several times therearound.

To start the winding the cop-tube or yarnreceiver is placed in contact with the continuously rotating drive-roll 2 by swinging the arm 5 downwardly in accordance with the usual practice. The thread-guide 6 is reciprocated constantly from the cam 16 and during its first traverse it picks up the thread t in the manner described in the prior patent first above referred to, the thread riding up over the head l0 oft the guide and seating in the slot ll as it draws in under the hooked guard 9 on the back ot the guide. Immediately the thread starts to wind onto the holder or receiver-1l. it will be threaded into the tension-device, the strand drawing down the incline ot' the arm 3l and being guided by the horn 33 to lead it under the rim 34 and into the notch 32 in the shalt 2l. The thread thus caused to draw into place between the opor-:ed .taces of the tension-disks 24e and Q5, and during the threading of the strand into the tension-device it is also automatically threaded into place beneath the wax-cake let in the manner as next explained.

lt has been stated that the thread t is placed under the curved tang or guide-tinger 50 and as the thread-guide 6 picks it up the traverse of the guide will draw the thread along the underside of the portion 47 of the rim of the wax-cake holder to pass it beyond the abutments 48 and 49. During this lateral movement of the thread t it is directed beneath the wax-cake 44 to draw across the underside thereof, and thereafter the weight of the cake will maintain a surface Contact of the wax on the thread as indicated in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

Now, as the thread is taken up by the winding it draws across the underside of the waxcake at one side of the axis of the latter and its lineal draft will setup a rotating movement of the wax-cake whereby to cause it to continuously present new surface to the thread. This rotating influence is due mainly to the lineal travel of the thread, but is assisted by the lateral movement of the strand radially inward and outward from the axis of the cake as the thread is traversed back and forth longitudinally of the package being wound. In Fig. 2 of the drawings the dotand-dash lines represent the thread t at one end of the traverse of the thread-guide 6, the stra-nd in this position being traveled across the underside of the wax-cake 44 and restricted in its lateral movement by Contact with the periphery of the thimhle 56 on which the cake is mounted. Asthe thread-guide 6 traverses from this point to the opposite end of the package being wound the thread t will be slid across the wax-cake to the position illustrated 'by dash lines in Fig. 2, Where it brings up against the abutment or shoulder 48 located on the underside of the rim 46 of theV holder to prevent it from being carried outwardly beyond the edge of the cake. It will thus be seen that the thread is given a constant lateral movement across the underside of the wax-cake and at the same time the cake constantly rotated on its axis so that new surface of the wax is continually presented to the thread. In this way the waxcake is worn away evenly and uniformly on its underside without permitting the thread to cut thereinto or score a groove in its surface. The cake is therefore worn away evenly so that the wax therein may be entirely consumed, a fresh cakebeing placed on the top of the first one whenl the latter becomes worn to a thin wafer. As before explained, the wax-cakerests on the free length of thread extending between the breakage-lever 65 and the thread-guide 6 with its weight borne entirely by the thread, there being no rest or other support against which the thread or cake bears to cause frictional resistance which would prevent free rotation of the wax-cake. This peculiar and novel arrangement of the parts results in increased eliciency of the device and constitutes an important improvement in the art. Due to the method of operation as above explained the wax is applied uniformly to the thready Without waste and is caused to permeate into the fibers to properly adhere to the cotton or other material.

I am aware that it has previously been proposed to treat thread and yarn with wax or paraffin by means of a disk-like cake resting on the thread as vit draws across a rest arranged therebeneath. 1While provision has been made for the wax-cakek to rotate as the thread passes under it, it has been found that it is notpracticable to turn the cake on its axis solely from the lineal movement of the strand, particularly if the thread draws across an under support or base on the waxholder. In the present improved waxing device the thread has both a lateral and lineal movement across the surface of the wax-cake so that the rotative tendency of the frictional contact of the thread on the wax is increased. Furthermore, the lateral movement of the thread on the surface of the wax-cake prevents the wearing of a groove inthe wax as has been found to be the case in previously used devices. p

The present improved waxing -device may be employed for waxing or paraflining cotton thread used in sewing machines, to provide lubrication for the needles, and it is also adapted for paraliining cotton yarns used as supplies for knitting machines, while in other instances it may be applied to like purposes in treating any sort of strand material.l

It is to be particularly observed that the present improved wax holder provides for the automatic threading of the strand into place to cause it to draw across the surface of the wax-cake and further, that it does not interfere with the operation of the breakage-lever which acts to arrest the operation of the winding machine.

lhile the device is herein shown as embodied in a preferred form of construction and applied to a particular use it is to be understood that modifications may be made in the structure of its parts and invits method of application without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Therefore` without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

l. A device for waxing thread comprising a holder for rotativelv mounting a wax-cake, means for drawing the thread across a surface of t-he wax-cake. and means for constantly traversing the thread to give it a lateral movement radially of the axis of the wax-cake during its'lineal travel over the flat surface thereof whereby to rotate the wax cake and constantly present new surface to the thread.

2. In a device for waxing thread, the combination of a wax-cakel holder, means for rotatively mounting a wax-cake on the holder, means for guiding a thread across the flat face of the wax-cake, and means for giving said thread a lineal movement and a lateral traversing motion radially of the axis of the waxcalre to constantly rotate the latter to present new surface to the thread.

3. In a device for waxing thread, the combination of a holder having a circular rim with abutments thereon, means for rotatively mounting a disk-like wax-cake on the holder concentric with the rim thereof, means for drawing a thread across the underside of the wax-cake with the abutments on the rim o-f the holder retaining it in place, and means for traversing the thread during its lineal movement to cause it to move laterally in a direction radially of the axis of the wax-cake on the flat surface thereof to rotate the cake.

et. In a device of the type specified, the combination of means for rotatively mounting a wax-cake while adapting it to move longitudinally of its axis, means for guiding a thread beneath the wax-caire at one side of its axis with the weight of the latter supported thereon, said guidinganeans being disposed outwardly beyond the periphery of the waxcake whereby the free length of the thread therebetween provides the sole support for the wax-cake, and means to impart a lateral traversing motion to the thread radially of the axis of the wax-cake to continuously rotate the latter.

5. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a rotatable member adapted for insertion through the axial opening in a waxcake, means for guiding a thread across the underside of the wax-calze at one side of its axis, said guiding-means being disposed outwardly beyond the periphery of the wax-cake whereby the latter is supported solely by the length of thread therebetween.

6. In a device of the type specified, the combination of, means for rotatively mounting a wax-caire while adapting it to move longitudinally of its axis, a fixed guide at one side of the waxcake through which the thread draws, and a traversing guide at the opposite side of the wax-cake through which the thread feeds to direct it beneath the wax-cake to support the weight of the latter, said traversing guide acting to impart alateral motion to the thread radially of the axis of the wax-cake to rotate the latter.

7. In a device of the type specified, the combination of, rotatable means adapted for insertion through a Waxralre, a fixed guide for the thread disposed radially outward from the periphery of the wax-cake, and an oscil lating guide for the thread on the opposite side of the wax-cake, said thread extending between said guides and underneath the waxcaire to support the weight of the latter while being traveled longitudinally and traversed laterally across the under surface ofthe wax caire radially of the axis thereof to continuously rotate the cake.

8. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a fixed pivot, a thimble rotatable on the pivot for supporting a wax-caketo adapt it to slide axially thereof, means for drawing a thread beneath the wax-cake`to support the weight of the latter without other support therebeneath, and means for traversing the thread radially of the axis of the wax-cake to continuously rotate the latter.

9. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a spindle, a thimble rotatable on sair spindle for supporting an annular wax-cake to adapt it to slide axially thereof, means for guiding a thread beneath the Waxcake to restrict it to a path Within the confines of the cake with the calze borne by the thread without other support therebeneath, and means for laterally traversing the thread radially of the axis of the wax-cake to continuously rotate the latter.

l0. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a wax-holder comprising a central support, a spindle rising from said support, a thimble rotatable on the spindle for supporting a wax-cake to adapt it to slide axially thereof, a rim surrounding the periphery of the Wax-cake above its lower edge and provided with an abutment extending below said edge to adapt it to engage a thread drawing beneath the wax-cake to prevent it from moving outwardly beyond the periphery of the cake, and means for laterally traversing the thread radially of the axis of the waxcake between said thimble and abutment for` the purpose specified.

ll. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a holder comprising a substantially circular rim provided with an abutment on its underside, an arm extending radially of the rim and positioned therebelow, a thimble rotatively mounted on the arm for supporting an annular wax-cake mounted on the thimble to rotate therewith and slidable axially thereof whereby to adapt it to bear against a thread drawing beneath the rim of the holder and across the underside of the wax-cake.

12. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a holder comprising a substantiall circular rim, an arm extending radially o the rim, a spindle rising from the arm and formed with a tapered point at its upper end, a thimble rotatably mounted on the spindle and having a bearing engaging its pointed end, said thimble adapted to support a wax-cake slidable axially thereof to adapt it to bear against a thread drawing beneath the rim of the holder and across the underside of the wax-cake.

13. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a holder comprising a substantially circular rim, means for rotatively supporting an annular wax-cake with its periphery enclosed by the rim, said rim having guiding means for retaining the thread in position beneath the wax-cake, and a substanlll) ing-means.

tally vertical thread-guide curving upward- V 1y from the rim along the side of the `Waxcake t0 adapt it to direct the thread thereunder and into place at the side of the guid- In testimony whereof I hereunto ax my signature.

1liV

ERNEST R. SWANSON. 

